Repeating circuit interrupter with fluid integrating means



Feb. 23, 1965 M. RIGERT REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH FLUIDINTEGRATING MEANS Filed April 9, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. /YdxRaye/"27 Feb. 23, 1965 M. RlGr-:RT 3,171,001

REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRPTER WITH FLUID INTBGRATING MEANS 'Filed April9, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4ax Raye/" BY mi .um

ttor/7g M. RIGERT 3,171,001

mmm cmcurr m'rsanuvrsn ma FLUID :mamma uws Feb. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. /742' @gert REPEATING CIRCUITINTERRUPTBR wITH FLUID INTEGRATING uEANs Filed April 9, 1962 M. RIGERTFeb. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. War R'yert tta/"ny AJM3,171,0(11 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 eREPEATING CIRCUIT lNTERRUPTER-WITH tFLUIDl INTEGRATING 'MEANS Max Rigert, West Allis, Wis., lssignortoMcGraw-Edison Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware `FiledApr. 9, 1962, ser. No. 186,079 -6 Claims. (Cl. 200-89) This inventionrelates to repeating circuitinterrupters of thetypea commonly known asreclosers.

It is common practice toutilizea varietyof protective ldevices havingtime current characteristics of different kshapes and `slopesin a singleelectrical system. For example, a distribution system .may be providedwith a recloserconnected in-series with themain line and .locatedadjacent the` source of power and fuses disposed `in feeder linesradiating from the main line. Because the majority of faults in suchsystems are Vtemporary in-nature, and twill, therefore, clear in arelatively short time, it is common to `arrange the repeatingcircuitinterrupter .to yexecute a series of rapid opening and-reclosingoperations so that the period inV which the system remains energized isshorter `than the time `necessary for the fuse elements 'to melt. If thefault does not clear during .this initial series of rapid operations,-it is consideredpermanent and there follows a second-series ofoperations inwhich the vrecloser contacts remain closed foraperiod ofsufficient `length'to melt the fuse element in the faulted feeder line.If the faultclears-due to the melting of thefuse or for some other`reasonduring-any of these successive operai tions, the recloserclosesto Fmaintain power vin the-main line and in the non-faulted feederlines. HIf, on the other v hand, the fault is not cleared `duringthisvseries of rapid and retarded opening operations, therecloserautomatically locks out to disconnect the main -line1from thesource. In order to properly coordinate a particular recloser with otherprotective devices the number :of V opening operations prior to lockoutmust kbe conveniently `and accurately preselectable.

As the use of electricv power increases in existing distribution systemsit becomes necessary, from time to time, to increase the ratings ofexistingsystems. fThis requires the installation of higher ratedtransformers-and `reclosers vto accommodate this increase load. --Inorder to minimize the cost of such upgrading Iof existngsystemsyit isdesirable to provide protective equipment which can Vbe mounted on poles`or other supporting vstructures repeating circuit `interrupterhavingcompact operating `mechanism which allows aV higher 'rated device to-be-housed in a container customarily used with lower :rated devices.

Theseand'other objects and :advantages of the instant `inventionwillbecome more apparent from fthe. `detailed descriptionfthereof taken withthe accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational viewfwithparts kbroken away,

ofa reclosing circuit interrupter assembly embodyingthe `instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism of thereclosing circuit interrupter illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side'elevational view partly in section illustrating thereclosing solenoid of the recloser of FIG.` 1;

FIG. 4 is 'a siderelevational view partly in section of the integratingmechanism according to the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is a view taken alonglines 5-5 of'vFIGav 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along lines 7-7' of-FIG.4;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along-lines 8 8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. A9 is a view takenalong lines-99 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the electrical circuit of the reclosershown in FIG. 1.

Referring more lspecifically to FIG. l, the circuit intterrupteryincorporating the instant inventionincludes a metallic tank` 10 'filledwith dielectric iiuid, ksuch as oil, to a level indicated by the phantomline 11, and provided .with'a Vgasketed cover l2. 'The cover 12 isprovided with a pair of bushings 13 which extend interiorly of -the tank10 and beneath the oil 11l for connection to conductors 14, for thepur-pose of serially connecting the reeloser in the system beingprotected. As seen in` FIG.10,the current path through the recloserbetween the bushingsAlS, constitutes a series circuit including theconductors -14, an electromagnetic tripping relay 16 and an interruptingswitch means generally designated by the reference numeral 18. f

The following will, in general'terms, be a discussion of the circuitinterruptery illustrated lin FIG. 1 -for the purpose of correlating thevarious portions of the rdevice illustrated in the drawings.

When an yovercurrent existsin thev system beingprotected, theovercurrent relay 16 operatesto krelease a` linkage Vassembly 20,llustratedin greater 4detail in FIG. 2, upon which event theinterrupting-switch means 18 of FIG. 1 is opened and seriesrelay 16 isde-energized. When the switch means 1i8 reachesits fully openedposition, a ypotential coil 22 is placed in circuit between the erate-to initiate a switch opening operation in-themanner above described.

Each opening ofthe switch meanslscauses the-pump piston 28 of anintegrating assemblyv27, VseeFIG. 5,- to deliver a'measured quantity ofhydraulic ruidunder an integratingpiston 26 which elevates-in a step bystep manner and accordingly,y causes similar advancement lof ra tripstem 122 to which it'is connectedby a pin 123. After a predeterminednumber of suchopening -operations,-usual ly four, the stem 122 hasadvanced to'whereit causes the operation ofa lockout mechanism 32, as-seen-inJFIG. 2, which preventsthe further energization of the-potentialcoilV 22 so'that further reclosure of the device is `prevented.

vReferring again to FIG. l, the'opera'tingmechanism 20 isa shown mountedon a chassis 34 whh is suspended from the cover- 12byintegr'albosses236. Also `mounted on the chassis 34 and below theoperating mechanism-20, is thehydraulic integrating mechanism 27.

The closingpotentialcoil 22 iswoundon a flanged spool mounted betweenthe-ange of a collar member-$9 and a plate-40-which are, in turn,supported vbelow the ychassis -34 by vinsulating stringers 42. Inasimilar manner, in-

The overcurrent -relay -16 includes a coil-49, a -core- 50 and amagneticplunger 52 connected vto-f-the operating .mechanism 20 by a pair oflong-insulatinglinks 53.V As

q seen in FIG. 2, the upper end of the links 53 are pivotally connectedto a lever 55 of the operating mechanism 2li. When the current inoverload coil 49 exceeds its rated value, the magnetic plunger 52 isattracted downwardly causing a downward movement of the vertical links53.

Referring again to FIG. 2, vertical movement of the links 53 cause theclockwise rotation of the lever 55 which, in turn, rotates a trip shaft56 to affect tripping of the device in the manner to be described.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the movable contact portion 58 of theinterrupting switch mechanism 1S is carried at the lower end of a longvertical insulating link 59 which is connected at its upper end to oneleg of a bell crank 61 through a short intermediate link 62, shown inFIG. 2.

-The bell crank 61 is adapted to pivot on a xed pivot 64 and isconnected at its other leg to the switch opening spring 66. Under normalcircuit conditions, when the recloser is closed, the opening spring 66tends to rotate the bell crank 61 clockwise to force the link 59downwardly and thereby open the main switch means 1S. Such openingaction is normally prevented, however, by a collapsible general latchmeans or toggle link assembly designated by the reference numeral 67.

When the recloser is closed, the toggle link assembly 67 effects a rigidconnection between the bell crank 61 and a rocking lever 69, the latterof which is normally latched and participates in a switch resettingoperation as will be explained hereinbelow. The toggle link assembly 67comprises a long link 76 pivotally connected near its mid section to atriangularly shaped link 72 which in turn is pivotally connected to therocking lever 69 at 73.

The tendency is for the elongated link 7h to rotate in a clockwisedirection under the inuence of opening spring 66 acting on the bellcrank 61, but this is normally prevented by a semicylindrical latchshaft 75 that is pivotally .mounted on triangular link 72 and which actsas a stop for the link 70.

The half shaft 75 is provided with an arm 77 havingan aperture 7 8 atits free end. A spring Si? urges the arm 77 and the semicylindricallatch 75 in a counterclockwise direction until the edge of the aperture78 engages a stop pin 79 extending from the triangular link 72. Thisholds the outer periphery of the semicylindrical latch 75 in engagementwith the tip of the long link 7) to maintain the latter in its latchedposition. Thus, if the half shaft 75 is rotated clockwise as viewed inFIG. 2, the tip of link 7i) will move past the flattened portion of saidhalf shaft and allow rotation of the links 7 il and 72.

As stated hereinabove, operation of the overcurrent relay 16 will movethe links 53 downwardly to rotate the trip shaft 56 clockwise. Thismoves the upper end of a trip arm 82, as viewed in FTG. 2, intoengagement with the left end of a long link 83 carried at the lower endsof links 84 and 84. Link 84 is pivotally mounted at xed point S whilelink `84' is received on a manual operating shaft 86. Engagement of thelink 83 by the arm 82 moves an offset portion S7 of the former intoengagement with the arm 77 rotating shaft 75 against the influence ofspring '80. The tip of link 7i) is thus allowed to move past the attenedportion of shaft 75 so that the toggle links 70 and 72 are free torotate. Upon this event, the bell crank 61 rotates clockwise through alimited angle opening the interrupting switch 1S.

When the toggle link assembly 67 collapses and the bell crank 61 rotatesto open interrupting switch 18, rocking lever 69, which is affixed to arocking shaft 8S, remains stationary temporarily because it is normallylatched by a spring-biased lever 39 carried on a xed pivot point 92 andengaged at 93 with an end of the rocking lever. Howevenrwhen the bellcrank 61 has nearly completed its clockwise rotation, a pin 95 extendingtransversely therefrom strikes lat'ch lever 'S9 and releases rockinglever 69 for' clockwise rotation under the influence of a spring 96.This elevat'es the closing magnetic plunger 24 which is connected to therocking lever 69 by a pair of insulating links 98.

Clockwise rotation of rocking lever 69 also immediately aligns thetriangular link '72 and the long link 70 of the toggle link assembly 67and allows the tip of link 70 to move upward past the iiattened edge ofhalf shaft and to catch again on the edge of the outer peripherythereof. This restores the toggle link assembly to rigid condition, butin a lower position, so that when rocking lever 69 is subsequentlyrotated counterclockwise by descent of plunger 24,'the toggle assembly67 will drive bell crank 61 counterclockwise and thus extend openingspring 66. This not only closes the interrupting switch 18, but alsoreloads the opening spring 66 in preparation for another openingoperation.

Closing of the interrupting switch 1S is achieved by the movement of theclosing magnetic plunger 24 downwardly through the agency of resettingcoil 22. Coil 22 is in circuit with an auxiliary switch, designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 100, that completes an energizingcircuit to the coil 22 when the plunger 24 is in its uppermost positionand reopens the coil circuit when the plunger 24 is in its lowermostposition.

Coil 22 is supplied withV line to ground voltage by being connectedacross the conductors 14, as seen in FIG. l0, through wires 102 whichare in series with the contacts M3 of auxiliary switch 1lii,`see FIG. 2.Auxiliary switch 11N) is operated from the rocking shaft 88 to whichrocking lever 69 is rigidly axed. When shaft 88 rotates through alimited angle after the main switch 18 opens it oscillates an arm 104through a like clockwise angle for actuating switch from open positionas shown to a closed position. For this purpose, arm 1114 is slotted at105 for loosely and slidably engaging a pin1i6 that is carried by a link107. The latter link 107 is moved on a stationary pin 108 and on thesame pin there is also pivotally supported another link 109 to which aninsulating rod 110 is pinned at 111. Links 167 and 169, together with aspring 112, constitute an overcenter linkage for operating switch 100with a snap action.

It will be seen that when arm 104 is rotated clockwise, pins 106; 163and 111 will rst form a straight line coincident with the line of actionof spring 112 which will then be stretched and pre-loaded. As slidingpin 106 is carried further counterclockwise, spring 112 is able tocontract and lift link 169 in a clockwise direction whereupon contacts103 are bridged and coil 22 is temporarily energized. Plunger 24 isimmediately drawn downward by coil 22 to close the interrupting switch13 and to open the switch 1110 by an action of over-center spring 112converse to that just described. Latch 89 then engages rocking lever 69to hold plunger 24 down.

As seen in FIG. 3, the closing magnetic plunger 24 has a central bore115 to permit the passage of the link 59, connected to the movablecontacts 58, to pass therethrough. In addition, it can be seen that theplunger 24 resides in a dashpot 118 which is surrounded by the potentialclosing coil 22. The initial portion of the upstroke of plunger 24 isretarded as the oil is trapped beneath the plunger and has to besupplied through a small orice 119 in a check valve 120 (see FIG. 9)which is biased upwardly by a spring 121 to normally substantially closethe lower portion of the dashpot cylinder 118. The check valve 120freely opens downwardly and the plunger 24 has a relatively rapiddownward stroke, cushioned by the oil in cylinder 118, and thus servesto quickly close the main switch 13. The upward stroke, however, isretarded and this provides a time delay for the circuit interrupter whenit is closed after an opening operation.

This symmetrical arrangement'of the magnetic plunger and contact link 59permits a more compact operating assembly than in prior art deviceswherein the closing coil had to be mounted in an offset positionrelative to the main interrupting contacts. As a result the tank 10 maybe of the same relative size as lower rated devices not having a closingcoil but relying on springs to provide this function.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that "scribedin'detail. time `delay mechanism 149 reference is made to U.S.

'5 when an arc is interrupted in an oil-immersed interrupter, such as 47shownin FIGS. 1 and 3, gas bubbles consisting of products of decomposedoil will be exhausted from the'ports'230. These bubbles will tend torise to- `ward the upper end of the tank and in order to -prevent themfrom being drawn 'into the dash-pot cylinder 118 whenthe' piston 24rises, a semi-cylindrical baille 231 is affixed over the orifice 119.

A small aperture 232 in the baille 231 permits the passage of the link59. The baille not only deects the bubbles emitted from the interrupter47 but also holds a `pocket of oil adjacent the orifice 119. Thislessens the 28 of themechanism 27 is connected by a pin 29 to astem-30which in turn is connected to the rocking lever 69. As a result,pump piston 28 is drivenby angular gyrations of the rocking lever 69each time the recloser operates. The output of the pump piston 28 isdelivered to the pressure side of lan integrating piston 26. As therecloser operates repeatedly, the integrating piston 26 isforcedhydraulically upward in a step by step manner'causing a correspondingmovement of a lockout stem 122 which is attached-thereto.

The'lockout stem 1'22is connected at its upper end, through the agencyof an arm 124, to a lU-shaped lockout bar 125 whose opposite endsarepivotally mounted at 126 and 126 on the chassis 34. Each time thelockout `stem122 advances it rotates the lockout bar 125 through acounterclockwise angle as viewed in FIG. 2.

Lockout of the recloser is brought about by a lever. 127

'pivoted' on a stationary pivot 128 that depresses the `auxiliary`switchl'ink 110 and thereby prevents energization of the closing coil22 until manually reset. The angular position of the lever 127 iscontrolled by an elongated linkl29 which `is positioned by a latchmechanism generally designated by the reference numeral130 and whichincludes a vlatch crank 132 received on the shaft 86 and having atip'133 which normally bears on the outer pei riphery of asemicylindrical latch134. vThe latch 134 is carried byra link 135 whichis pivoted 'about the fixed pointl36. The link-135 and the latch 134 areheld in the position shown in FIG. 2 by a spring 137.

After a predetermined number of opening operations,

Va pin 138l extending laterally from one of. thearms of the lockout bar125 will strike the latch lever 135 rotating the half moon latch 134counterclockwise around pivot point 136 torelease the latch crank 132and the shaft 86 for counterclockwise rotation by spring 140. Thismoves'the link 129 downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, to rotate the crank127 counterclockwise into engagement with the upper end of the auxiliaryswitch link 110 to preventclosu're of the latter and thereby effectlockout.

Resetting ofthe devi is accomplished by clockwise rotation of an arm 142aixed to the shaft 86, which in -turn'elevates the link 129 andvrelatches the tip 133 of by the reference numeral 149 is provided. Thespecific details of the time delay mechanism 149 form no part of `theinstant invention and accordingly will not be de- For a more completedescription Vof yinitiate time delayed operation.

6 Patent 2,907,562 to A. Van Ryan et al. and assigned to the assigneeAof the instant invention.

As seen in FIG. 2, the lever 55, to which the upper end of the link 53is pivotally connected, isconnected at its free end to a hook shapedtime delayl latch linger 150 which extends generally upward. Latchfinger 150 is biased clockwise with respect to lever 55 by a spring152but such rotation is -normally opposed by a cross pin 153 lying in theswinging path of finger 150 and carried by a lever 155 which is pivotedabout a xed pin 156. In order to rendery the time delay device 149effective to fdelay tripping by retarding the downward movement of link53, the latch linger 150 must be allowed to engage a pin 158 extendingtransversely through the time'delay lever 159 pivotally mounted at 160on a .bracket 162 extending upwardly'from the body `ofthe time delaykmechanism 149.

As long as the time delay control bar 164 remains in the position inwhich it is shown in FIG. 2, the biasing inuence of spring 152 isovercome and the hooked end of the latch finger 150 is free to movedownwardly without engagingpin. 158. Thus, in the first series of.operations link 53 may descend without retardation because time .delayarm 159 is disconnected from the latch linger 150.

The influence of the time delay device 149 is brought into effect byshifting a timing bar 164 to 'the left in opposition to a spring 166 torotate the lever 155 clockwise and to move the pin 153 away from thelatch finger 150 so that vthe latter is free to be rotated clockwise bythe spring 152 until it engagesthe pin 158. Displacement of timing bar164 in this manner'is accomplished through the agency of an indexingwheel 167 rotatably mounted at 126 and a lever 168.

The indexing Vwheel v167-is coupled to the integrating bar 125 by anindicating arm 170 which isatixed toone of the legs of said integratingbar. A driving connection is formed between the wheel 167 and the arm170 byia transverse indexing pin 171 which is receivable in one of aplurality of indexing holes 172 adjacent the periphery of indexing wheel167. Indicia 174 are provided adjacent the periphery of indexing wheels167 at its opposite side for cooperating with the pointer 175 toindicatethe number `of time delay operations which will occur. By removing thepin 171` fromone of the holes 172fand rotating the wheel in onedirectionor the other, the edges of the recess 177 will be moved relative toroller 179 thereby changing the number of operations necessary-toReinsertionk of the pin 171 in the hole 172 correspondingto thisposition reestablishes the driving connection.

It can be seen that rotation ofthe timing bar 125 in a counterclockwisedirection `will move the edge of a recessed portion 177 yoi" theindexingwheel 167 into engagement with a roller 179 carried onthe freeendof the lever 168 to rotate the latterand thereby displace the jtimingbar 164 ltoward ythe left to initiate time delayed operation.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4-7, the integrating mechanism 27 isshown to include a block portion 182' forming a housing and having apair4 of cylindrical 182 below the integrating cylinder 186 and isconnected to said cylinder through a ball check valve 191. Also, therecess is connected to the pump cylinder 184 by passages 192, 193 and194 (see 1FIG. 7). The lower end of the pump cylinder 184 is alsoyconnected to the lower end of the sump-187 through a passage 196 and aball check valve 198. In addition, ports 200 and 201,

respectively, connect the upper ends of the integrating cylinder 136 andthe pump cylinder 18d to the sump 187. A second port 2tl3 near the lowerend of the pump cylinder 184 also opens into the stunp 187.

As seen in FIG. 5, the pump piston assembly 28 includes an externallythreaded body 2&5 which is threadably received into an internallythreaded sleeve Ztl-5. it can be seen that the axial length of the body265 is shorter than the sleeve y206. A pin extends across the lower endof the sleeve 296 and is rigidly aixed thereto Jfor the purpose ofrotating the sleeve relative to the body 2tl5 so that the relative axialposition of the sleeve and the body may be adjusted.

Rotation ot the sleeve 205 is accomplished by a rod 210 extendingthrough a bore 211 formed in the housing 132 and opening into the lowerend of the cylinder 184. The rod 210 is provided with a head 212 havinga slot 214 for embracing the pin 26S. Thus, when rotation of the sleeve206 is desired the piston assembly 23 is depressed to the lower end ofthe chamber 184, a threaded plug 215 covering the outer end of the bore211 is removed, the slot `214 is engaged with the pin 26S and the rod210 is rotated to rotate the sleeve 2de. Because the body 205 is rigidlyailixed to the stein 3@ by the pin 29, rotation of the sleeve 2&5 willcause relative axial movement between the body 2% and said sleeve. Thepurpose for this adjustment will be more fully appreciated whenoperation of the integrating assembly is discussed in detailhereinbelow.

lAs seen in -`PlGS. 2 and 4, the upper end of the pump piston stem 30 isconnected through the agency of a pair of links 216 to the rocking lever69. Thus, each time the rocking lever pivots, after a switch openingoperation, the pump piston assembly 28 is depressed in cylinder 134i toforce a measured quantity of hydraulic iiuid through the passages y192,193 and .194, past the ball check valve 1191 and below the integratingpiston 26 elevating the latter.

The integrating piston stem 122 is connected by links 21% to the lockoutbar 125. As a result, elevation of the integrating piston 26 rotates thelockout bar l25 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FEiG. 2.

It will be recalled that when the interrupting switch 1S is reclosed bythe descent of the magnetic plunger 24, the rocking lever 69 is returnedto its original unretated position. This raises the pump piston assembly2S to its original elevated position shown in FIG. 5 whereupon hydrauliciluid is drawn from the sump fl through the ball check valve 198. As aresult, the pump piston assembly 2S'is in position to force a secondmeasured quantity of oil beneath the integrating piston 26 should asucceeding opening operation occur. In this manner the integratingpiston 26 is advanced in a step by step manner until the lockout bar 125has been rotated suiciently to cause lockout. lf the number ofoperations are insuiicient to cause lockout, the integrating piston 26will slowly settle to its initial position so that the integratingassembly is reset. This rate of resettlement is not, however, rapidenough to ailect the number oi operations during the normal operatingsequence.

It can be seen that because the port 2tl3 opens directly into the sump137 no iluid will be pumped beneath the integrating piston 26 until thelower edge of the sleeve 206 completely covers said port. Thus, iiuidwill be pumped under the piston 26 only for that portion of the pumppiston stroke subsequent to the passage of the sleeve 206 over the port2635. Because the body 205 is rigidly aixed to the stem 30, its descentin the cylinder y'184 will he ixed regardless of its axial positionrelative to the sleeve 265. Thus, by moving the sleeve 2% downward inrelation to the body 2t5, it will be made to cover the port 203 for agreater portion of the downward stroke so that a larger quantity of oilwill be pumped beneath the integrating piston 26. Conversely, movementof the sleeve 206 axially upward relative to the body 2% CII willdecrease the working stroke of the piston assembly 28. However, becausethe stroke of the piston assembly 23 remains constant, increasing ordecreasing its working portion has the etect of increasing or decreasingthe amount of iluid pumped beneath the integrating piston 26. As aresult, it is possible to accurately adjust the distance the integratingpiston 26 will be elevated for cach opening operation oi the device.Thus, initiation of the time delay and lockout operations by theintegrating piston can be accurately adjusted.

A friction plug 2.2i?, disposed in a transverse recess 222 formed in thebody 205 and urged outwardly against the threads of the sleeve 206,prevents rotation of said sleeve during normal operation of the assembly27.

lt will be appreciated that by providing a completely seit containedhydraulic assembly 27 having its own supply of hydraulic huid, it is notnecessary to submerge the assembly 27 in the dielectric duid 11 so thatlong insulating members for connecting the pump piston stem Sil and theintegrating piston stem 122 to the operating mechanism 2t?) are notneeded. The completely self contained unit has the additional advantagein that-bubbles, inherent in the iiuid 11 during a fault interruption,will not be drawn into the pump and integrating cylinders and therebyproduce erratic movement of their respective pistons.

While only a single embodiment has been shown and described it is notintended that the invention be limited thereto but only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

`1. A repeating circuit interrupter for protecting an electrical systemand including a casing containing a quantity of dielectric iluid, switchmeans disposed in the lower end of said casing and beneath saiddielectric fluid, operating means disposed near the upper end of saidcasing and above said dielectric duid, a link extending downward fromsaid operating means for connecting the latter to said switch means,said operating means including resilient means urging said switch meanstoward an open position and latch means for holding said switch meansclosed in opposition to said resilient means, trip means for releasingsaid latch means upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition insaid system, electromagnetic reclosing means disposed between saidoperating means and said switch means and including a coil energizableafter each opening operation of said switch means and a plunger having abore extending therethrough for permitting said link to passtherethrough, said plunger being connected to said operating meansindependently of said link for being moved upwardly during each openingoperation, said plunger being attracted downwardly into said coil uponthe energization of the latter to relatch said switch means.

2. A repeating circuit interrupter including a sealed casing containinga quantity of dielectric iluid, switch means disposed in the lower endof said casing and beneath said dielectric fluid, operating meansdisposed near the upper end of said casing and above said dielectriciiuid, a long link extending downward from said operating means forconnecting the latter to said switch means, said operating meansincluding spring means urging said switch means toward an open positionand latch means for holding said switch means closed in opposition -tosaid spring means, overcurrent responsive trip means for releasing saidlatch means, electromagnetic reclosing means disposed beneath said fluidand including a coil energizable after each opening operation of saidswitch means and a plunger, a dashpot cylinder disposed interiorly ofsaid coil for receiving said plunger through its upper end when thelatter is attracted by said coil to retard the movement of said plunger,said plunger having a bore extending therethrough and said. dashpothaving an aperture at its lower end for permitting said long link topass therethrough, whereby said long link and said plungerY may moveindependently of each other, said plunger being connected to saidoperating means to relatch said switch means upon being attracteddownwardly into said dashpot by said coil.

3. A repeating circuit interrupter including a sealed casing containinga quantity of dielectric uid, switch means disposed in the lower end ofsaid casing and beneath said dielectric fluid, operating means disposednear the upper end of said casing and above said dielectric fiuid, along link extending downward from said operating means for connectingthe latter to said switch means, said operating means including springmeans urging said switch means toward an open position and latch meansfor holding said switch Ameans closed in opposition -to said springmeans, overcurrent responsive trip means for releasing said latch means,electromagnetic reclosing means disposed beneath said tluid andincluding a coil energizable after each opening operation of said switchmeans and a plunger, a dashpot cylinder disposed interiorly of said coilfor receiving said plunger through its upper end when the latter isattracted by said coil 'to retard the movement of said plunger, saidplunger having a bore extending therethrough and said dashpot having anaperture at its lower end for permitting said long link to passtherethrough, said plunger being connected to said operating means forbeing moved upwardly during each opening operation, said plunger beingattracted downwardly into said dashpot by said coil upon theenergization of the latter .to relatch said switch means, said fiuidbeing drawn into and expelled from the aperture in said dashpot duringthe upward and downward movement of said plunger, and baffle meansdisposed below said aperture to prevent the entrance into said dashpotof bubbles incident to the interruption of a circuit by said switchmeans beneath said fluid.

4. -For use in a repeating circuit interrupter having switch means,operating means for opening and reclosing said switch means and lockoutmeans for preventing the reclosure of said switch means after apredetermined number of opening operations, the combination of aselfcontained hydraulic integrating assembly comprising a sealed housinghaving first and second cylinders and a sump cavity formed therein, aquantity of hydraulic fluid disposed within said sump cavity, pumppiston means disposed in said first cylinder, integrating piston meansdisposed in said second cylinder, valve means for connecting `thepressure side of said pump piston means to said intergrating pistonmeans when said pump piston means is descending and for connecting thepressure side of said pump piston means to said sump when said pumppiston means is ascending, said pump piston means being mechanicallyconnected to said operating means for depression upon each switchopening operation so that a measured quantity of hydraulic fiuid ispumped beneath said integrating piston, a by-pass passage connected tosaid sump cavity and opening into said rst cylinder intermediate itsends for by-passing a portion of said pumped fiuid around saidintegrating cylinder, said pump piston including closure means forclosing said by-pass passage after said piston begins descending, meansextending through said housing and operable externally of saidintegrating assembly for adjusting the relative proximity of saidclosure means to said passage independently of the stroke of said pumppiston so that the quantity of fluid delivered to said integratingcylinder upon each opening operation may be adjusted.

5. For use in a repeating circuit interrupter having switch means,operating means for opening and reclosing said switch means and lockoutmeans for preventing the reclosure of said switch means after apredetermined number of opening operations, the combination of aselfcontained hydraulic integrating assembly comprising a sealed housinghaving first and second cylinders and a sump cavity formed therein, aquantity of hydraulic fiuid disposed within said .Sump cavity, pumppiston means disposed in first cylinder, an integrating piston disposedin said second cylinder, valve means for connecting the pressure side ofsaid pump piston means to said integrating piston when said pump pistonmeans is moved in one direction and for connecting the pressure side ofsaid pump piston means to said sump when said pump piston is moved inthe opposite direction, said pump piston means including an internalbody member and an external sleeve member adjustably mounted on saidbody member, said body member being mechanically connected to saidoperating means for movement in one direction upon each switch openingoperation so that a measured quantity of hydraulic fluid is pumped tosaid integrating piston, a by-pass passage connected to said sump cavityand opening into said first cylinder intermediate its ends forby-passing a portion of said pumped fluid around said integratingcylinder, said sleeve member being operative to close said by-passpassage after said pump piston means begins moving in said firstdirection, means extending through said sealed housing and operableexternally of said integrating assembly for adjusting the relativeposition of said sleeve member on said body member so that the initialproximity of said sleeve member relative to said passage may be changedindependently of the stroke of said pump piston whereby the quantity offluid delivered to said integrating cylinder may be adjusted.

6. For use in a repeating circuit interrupter having a sealed casing, aquantity of dielectric liquid disposed within said casing, switch meansdisposed beneath said liquid, operating means for opening and reclosingsaid switch means and lockout means for preventing the reclosure of saidswitch means after a predetermined number of opening operations, thecombination of a self-contained hydraulic integrating assemblycomprising a sealed housing having first and second cylinders and a sumpcavity formed therein, a quantity of hydraulic fluid disposed withinsaid sump cavity, pump piston means disposed in said first cylinder, anintegrating piston disposed in said second cylinder, the upper end ofeach of said cylinders being connected to said sump cavity, valve meansfor connecting the lower end of said pump piston means to the lower endof said integrating piston when said pump piston means is descending andfor connecting the lower end of said pump piston means to said sump whensaid pump piston means is ascending, said pump piston means beingmechanically connected to said operating means for depression upon eachswitch opening operation so that a measured quantity of hydraulic fluidis pumped beneath said integrating piston, a by-pass passage connectedto said sump cavity and opening into said first cylinder intermediateits ends for by-passing a portion of said pumped fiuid around saidintegrating cylinder, said pump piston means including a body andclosure means -for closing said by-pass passage after saidpiston beginsdescending, said closure means being rotatable relative to said body forchanging its proximity relative to said passage independently of thestroke of said pump piston so that the quantity of fiuid delivered tosaid integrating cylinder may be adjusted, and means extending throughsaid housing for engaging said closure means to rotate the same from apoint external of said integrating assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,207 3/56Edwards et al. 200-89 2,769,054 10/56 Edwards 200-89 2,859,392 11/58 VanRyan et al. 200-97 2,860,205 11/58 Stramowski 200-89 BERNARD A.GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner.

1. A REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER FOR PROTECTING AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMAND INCLUDING A CASING CONTAINING A QUANTITY OF DIELECTRIC FLUID, SWITCHMEANS DISPOSED IN THE LOWER END OF SAID CASING AND BENEATH SAIDDIELECTRIC FLUID, OPERATING MEANS DISPOSED NEAR THE UPPER END OF SAIDCASING AND ABOVE SAID DIELECTRIC FLUID, A LINK EXTENDING DOWNWARD FROMSAID OPERATING MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE LATTER TO SAID SWITCH MEANS,SAID OPERATING MEANS INCLUDING RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID SWITCH MEANSTOWARD AN OPEN POSITION AND LATCH MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID SWITCH MEANSCLOSED IN OPPOSITION TO SAID RESILIENT MEANS, TRIP MEANS FOR RELEASINGSAID LATCH MEANS UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A PREDETERMINED CONDITION INSAID SYSTEM, ELECTROMAGNETIC RECLOSING MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAIDOPERATING MEANS AND SAID SWITCH MEANS AND INCLUDING A COIL ENERGIZABLEAFTER EACH OPENING OPERATION OF SAID SWITCH MEANS AND A PLUNGER HAVING ABORE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FOR PERMITTING SAID LINK TO PASSTHERETHROUGH, SAID PLUNGER BEING CONNECTED TO SAID OPERATING MEANSINDEPENDENTLY OF